Page 6 of Twisted Obsession

It’s a hope that’s dashed as soon as the door swings open and the Viper comes sauntering into the room. Behind him, I get a quick glimpse of the suite I was in yesterday, so I’m guessing this is a ‘secret’ room off of it, but thoughts of that are obliterated by the leering expression on the Viper’s face as he looks me over and licks his lips. It makes me glad I haven’t eaten, as a wave of nausea crashes through me like a freight train.

“Well, well, well…” Vito Rossi says as he walks around me like I’m some kind of sideshow entertainment. I guess to him, I probably am. “You scrub up pretty well, sweetheart. Just in time for me to dirty you all up again.”

He draws one pudgy finger up my bare arm, and goosebumps erupt on my skin—and not the good kind.

“The other bitch screamed good as I fucked her while one of my men burned patterns into her tits with a cigar,” he tells me with a lewd laugh. “She was a right wildcat. Tell me, Principessa, are you going to be the same?”

Bile rises in my throat as I notice the hardening wedge in his pants.

Oh god! My heart races as I take an involuntary step back, bumping into the wall behind me. There's nowhere to run. Vito's eyes gleam with cruel anticipation as he closes in.

"Please," I whisper, hating how weak and frightened I sound. "Don't do this."

He laughs, a harsh bark that makes me flinch. "Begging already? We haven't even started the fun yet, sweetheart."

His meaty hand reaches for me, and I squeeze my eyes shut, bracing for his touch. But thankfully, there's a welcome interruption at the door.

"Boss!" a voice calls urgently. "We've got a situation. You're needed downstairs right away."

Vito hums in the back of his throat, and I feel like I’m nothing more than a bug he’s playing with. A pretty butterfly he can’t wait to pull the wings off of. "I’ll return soon, Principessa," he says, his voice filled with promise. “My nephew may think his word will keep you safe, but believe me, it won’t. I'll be back to finish what we started."

He walks out, slamming the door behind him and I slide down the wall, trembling, as tears of relief and terror stream down my face. I don’t know if that was just to scare me, or if I've been granted a temporary reprieve, but if it’s the latter, for how long? And what fresh hell awaits me when Vito returns?

I wrap my arms around my middle and curl into myself, trying to steady my ragged breathing. My mind races, desperately seeking a way out of this nightmare. But the walls feel like they're closing in, trapping me with no escape.

Suddenly, I hear raised voices and what sounds like a scuffle outside the door. My heart leaps into my throat. Is Vito back already?

The door bursts open and Dominic strides in, his face a mask of cold fury. His eyes lock onto mine and some of the tension leaves his shoulders.

“Are you alright?" he demands, crossing the room in two long strides. "Did he touch you?"

I shake my head mutely, still too shaken to speak, but Dominic's jaw clenches as he takes in my trembling form.

“I’m sorry,” he says. “I’ll warn Mika. It won’t happen again.”

I want to remind Dominic that Vito outranks him. Short of incapacitating someone who is not only his superior, but who sits at the right hand of the Don himself, there’s really nothing Dominic can do to protect me. And that kind of thing never happens in the Mafia without the severest of consequences. Whatever Dominic says, it’s painfully clear the Viper isn’t dancing to Mika Rossi’s tune. While I appreciate Dominic’s attempts at protection, I’m not stupid enough to believe that he’ll actually put his life on the line for me.

I nod weakly, not trusting my voice and not having the energy to argue with him. Dominic's eyes soften slightly as he reaches out, hesitating before gently touching my shoulder.

"Come on," he says, his voice low. "Let's get you out of here for a bit."

I look at him in surprise. "But... I thought I wasn't allowed to leave."

Dominic's mouth twists. "You're not. But at least while I’m present, you can stay in the main suite with windows and fresh air, drinks and snacks on tap, and the television to occupy yourself. It’s not much, but it’s better than staring at these four walls."

He helps me to my feet, steadying me when I sway slightly.

Dominic ushers me into a sunlit room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a lush garden which I hadn’t seen yesterday, when I was brought here in the dead of night.

"Better?" he asks, gesturing for me to sit before he fetches me a hot, sweet coffee which I all but inhale.

“Do you think you could eat? I can organize some brunch for you if you like?”

A glance at my surroundings reveals a wall clock showing the time as 11:23 am. And as much as I didn’t think I’d be able to eat, my stomach takes that moment to grumble loudly.

“I guess something light might be okay,” I murmur, my cheeks heating slightly.

“How about scrambled eggs on toast topped with ham and spring onions?”

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